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☰
Fargo Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Fargo Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 391 [displaying comments 281 to 291]
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J. W. from Iowa, United States
(5/22/2007)
 "Definitely a pleasant experience!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Why run Fargo? You're not coming to Fargo for the sites; thus, don't expect a course filled with beautiful architectural structures (although Concordia College was beautiful). However, DO expect fans of all ages along the course with unbelievable support and encouragement - from mile 1 to mile 26. The young kids were out in full force and they are always pleasure! The only stretch I could remember that didn't have someone for about a city block was the run through the golf course around mile 8. And Margaritaville at mile 25 was a site for sore eyes! Volunteers - friendly and fantastic! Every person I dealt with from my arrival for registration to my departure was a class act. Volunteers throughout the course were tremendous. Organization - perfect! With the potential for adverse weather, the use of the FargoDome makes for a perfect event! Having the activities for kids, a full concession stand for spectators and a climate controlled roof over your head at the finish was great for me and my family. Every aspect of this event was well thought out. Excellent job! Course: Flat. I can't remember a hill; maybe an incline up the bridge at mile 17. Running through the older neighborhoods with the tall trees kept the wind at bay; thus, the trade off for scenic route versus protection. No lack of support, water, gator-aid and more than enough GU if you choose. The medal was fabulous as you crossed the finish line. The tech shirt was great quality as well. Seeing yourself on the large screen monitors and hearing your name as you came down the tunnel towards the finish was very inspiring. I must say, the announcer had the same level of enthusiasm of accomplishment whether you finished in 4 hours or in 7 hours! Great job!!! The post-race food was more than ample and with excellent selection. I must have had 8 cups of ice cream! Thank you, Fargo, I'll be back next year! | |
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B. A. from Fargo, ND
(5/21/2007)
 "5K timing issue" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Packet pickup was quick and organized. I ran the 5K. There was a complete failure to call out the competitive runners in the race and too many walkers were up front. I was at the start line for 3-4 minutes due to the walkers. I was very disappointed in the timing system. I timed myself at 18:44, crossed at 22:12 gun time, and my official time is 20:50. I was irate. That's a huge screw-up and I can't prove otherwise. I've run 20-30 5K's in the 18-19 minute range since I was 15 and have never seen this. I recommend avoiding this race next year. For the $30-$75 dollar entry fees they charge, I expect to have my time right. | |
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Don Pattison from Bartlett, IL
(5/21/2007)
"What a flat and fast course" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 People who need a flat course to qualify for Boston should go to Fargo. It is about as flat as they come. There were only 3-5 underpasses and one little bridge incline, and that was about it. The wind can be a factor as we saw on race day. The local folks that came out to cheer us on were great. Most were bundled up in blankets or heavy jackets but they were out there. The packet pickup was easy and the expo was bigger than one would expect from a "small" race but they had lots of booths and vendors. The shirt was pretty cool and the medal was outstanding. They seemed to have plenty of port-a-potties along the course and that is very welcome when you are running down the residental areas and need to stop. Water stops all had Gatorade and water and never had a big backup because they had lots of folks there. We got to run into MN and visit Morehead and one of the locals was there at the corner yelling, "Welcome to Morehead." Finishing in the Fargodome was pretty neat if you had friends and family watching, and it was nice to get out of the cold. I liked this race and will come back again. | |
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R. K. from Temple Terrace, FL
(5/21/2007)
 "WARNING to Fargo!" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you keep this up you will have a situation - your great city will be full of runners! The word is out by now - you are a city that knows how to put on a wonderful marathon! It was my 44th state of 50 - and the right one to run in ND! Thanks for the blessings.... Not my fastest BUT one of the most fun runs in a long time! Be proud - continue to do what you do! | |
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P. M. from Oshkosh,Wi
(5/21/2007)
"Go Far in Fargo!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Fargo was a great marathon to run on your birthday. Crowd support was fantastic. Seemed like the whole city really got behind the event. Running through residential areas really sheltered runners from the wind for the most part. Start and finish at the Fargo Dome worked out well also. We stayed at the Candlewood Suites and walked to the start 15 minutes before. Good organization. Fast course. Seems like a good Boston qualifier. Thanks Fargo! | |
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D. W. from Houston, TX
(5/21/2007)
"Highly recommended but expect wind" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was very impressed by the Fargo Marathon in just about every way. The expo was good. Scheel's (the sponsor, a sporting goods store) is about the only vendor there. This isn't too bad because they had a ton of stuff. I liked it that they were set up to ship my purchases home for me. The pasta dinner was ok but the lines were long and the pasta just mass produced. This is only the 3rd year and the race is quickly growing so they will need to add capacity to feed people. Bart Yasso was a great speaker for the dinner. The weather was the big question mark - 88 degrees on Friday - but a front came through and it was 48 at the start and about 56 for the high on Saturday. The only problem was the high wind. From mile 10 to 23 there were a lot of spots with high headwinds that took their toll. But overcast sky and cool weather are hard to beat for a marathon. The wind is just part of life in Fargo. In a few spots there were especially large crowds but throughout there were people cheering us on, beating pots with wooden spoons, clanging trash can lids, playing music, blowing bubbles, turning somersaults, etc. For a smaller city, there was amazing support. Despite it being over 5 hours into the race, in the 25th mile there were a couple of spots with music blasting that helped pick me up. Everyone was so friendly. The course is flat except for a number of underpassess and maybe 3 other small hills. Even for a flat-lander like me, it was a flat course. The finish in the Fargodome was nice since you were out of the weather. The course is very pretty, almost entirely through neighborhoods on tree-lined streets with some through the downtown areas of Fargo and Morehead. Several spots were along the Red River. No beautiful sights but no run-down industrial areas like some races. The start is crowded with Full, Half and 5K runners, but the 5K group turns off quickly and the Half departs about mile 5.5. The fast runners may have hit the back of the pack Halfs when the courses came back together but it was not a problem for me. There were loads of porta-potties at the start (along with bathrooms inside the Fargodome) and frequently along the route - never saw a line. Plenty of Gatorade and water. Clear mile markers and direction signs as well as ever present volunteers and cops directing traffic. I was very impressed by Fargo, and this was my 21st marathon, 18th state. Was it a well run race? Ya, sure, you betcha. | |
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Brent Manley from Memphis TN
(5/21/2007)
"One of the best in America." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Fargo is certainly one of the friendliest cities in America. The turnout of locals for the marathon was just amazing. The course is flat, the 2007 weather cool (stiff wind, but not too bad) and the volunteers superb. You can't go wrong with this race. | |
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Geoff Martin from Winnipeg,Canada
(5/21/2007)
"It's a good thing" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well done, Fargo, for staging such a wonderful event. Everything was first-class. Pasta party, though small, was great - even encouraging you to have seconds. Shuttle to the start and home again were very much appreciated. Great to start and finish in the warm Fargodome as the weather was cool and a little windy. I cannot say enough about the pace group leaders - great folks who got us in on time. Where else would you find belly dancers and a pontoon boat on a street? Hey, you Margaritaville folks rock. Very enjoyable course and such enthusiastic volunteers at the water stations. Fantasic to finish inside the Fargodome and to get the warm pasta and other goodies. What can you say about the medal and poster? Wow, both were amazing. Well done, Fargo, on a great job. I encourage all Manitoba runners to run this instead of our Mickey Mouse marathon. As Borat would say, "Very nice." | |
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W. S. from Garson, MB
(5/21/2007)
"Great event! I'll be back next year!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time running this event. I'd heard plenty of very positive comments regarding the past two years and thought I'd like to try it out. I live in a small town just outside of Winnipeg Manitoba. I was blown away by the whole experience. The organizers have done a top-notch job right from kit pick up, to the expo, to the run itself and the finish area. I was pleasantly surprised by the technical shirt. The fans were fantastic. The aid stations were very prepared and enthusiasic. The run was scenic and interesting. I'm hooked. Thank you to the sponsors, fans, and organizers. Great job! | |
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M. W. from Tulsa OK
(5/21/2007)
"Had a wonderful time in Fargo" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course: Flat course run almost entirely on slanted cement streets, and although my feet and legs are paying the price today, it was worth it. The run through the college and a finish in the Fargo Dome were great. Organization was about as good as it gets. They even had a "Welcome to the Fargo Marathon" table at the airport. The finisher's medals were very nice. Spectators: If there was a higher grade than five, I'd give it. I'm a very slow runner, yet there were people screaming for me the whole way. Everyone gave us the feeling that they were genuinely glad we were in their town and running their marathon. A little black cheerleader(?) with the prettiest smile I've seen ran along with me for a bit and I got a "high five" from a young girl in Moslem attire - now I ask you, where can you go to top that? I'd run this one again in a New York minute. |
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